NEWS

You may find my response to your emails stronger and more direct than expected. Last week, a teacher literally threw himself between a moving SUV in car line and a Kinder to prevent the child from being hit. Yesterday, a staff member was nearly struck by a car entering the parking lot during afternoon car line. Righteous anger is a rational response to these types of events.

The behavior of a few does make car line aggravating and, at times, dangerous. I am as frustrated as you, but this problem is not simply a car line problem and definitely not one which is easily solved by the principal chastising individuals for being inconsiderate.

In the morning, staff now stands out front, because we do have a number of people who drive the wrong way, drop children off at unsafe locations, and use neighboring driveways as dropping off or temporary parking spots. We have similar problems in the afternoon. Sadly, it seems the rules designed for everyone's safety are followed only when someone is seen to be watching. It is also incredibly frustrating that more staff time is spent as car line monitors than ever before -- fewer parent volunteers directly impacts the quality of instruction we provide by reducing the amount of time we have to prepare.

I am disappointed by the idea we need to institute a policy about when parents should arrive in the afternoon. Students do not leave the building until 2:30 at the earliest and we have repeatedly asked parents to not arrive before 2:20 because blocking our neighbors' driveways and Tualatin-Sherwood is unsafe and illegal. We do not allow cars into the parking lot until 2:20 because we often have students outside for Ag or recess until that time. Asking the City of Tualatin Police to become involved, as suggested in numerous emails, while temporarily effective, does not solve the real problem.

Frankly, these are symptoms of a deeper problem: the folks who engage in such behaviors do not see themselves as a part of the MITCH community.

This is not something I can change. Leadership will continue to urge parents to drive safely and to call out those who endanger children and adults. We will remind people to follow the rules. But let's reason this through logically: if you don't think of yourself and your children as a part of the family, what impact would my words -- or those of any staff member -- have on your behavior? So far, very little.

Leaders set the culture norms and rules, but it is the community itself that internalizes the norms into enduring values. Becoming a community that cares deeply about one another's families and children is a parent body issue. PSO leadership and school leadership have consistently led by example and word when it comes to car line. It is now up to our parents to help each other -- it is families working together that will affect a lasting change in how people participate in our community as evidenced by their behaviors in car line.

As a member of the MITCH community, it is never only about what is best for me and mine. As a member of the MITCH family, it is also about what is best for the school as a whole. Acting as a group of individuals who coincidentally have chosen to attend the same school, we create chaos. But working together for a common good, caring for one another, and going out of our way to make sure we are all doing well, then we create something unique and life-changing for our children.

Thank you for letting me know of your frustrations and concerns. I hope we can solve these problems as a community. In the meantime, we have instituted a clear afternoon carline protocol as requested:

NEW AFTERNOON CAR LINE PROTOCOLBeginning on Monday, November 21st drivers who arrive before 2:20 to park in the cul-de-sac will be asked to move. Cars will no longer be permitted to park in the cul-de-sac -- ever. If you must arrive before 2:20, park in the empty Haggen lot and drive to the school at 2:20. If you choose to ignore us when asked to move, know we will permit cars arriving at the correct time to enter the parking area first.